RIP Peelie

Well another day in the house started out fine with clearing the place of empty cardboard boxes and a wardrobe that doesn't fit up the stairs. Then I got lots more stuff up into the loft and hey presto! the place is looking lots tidier.

Later on in the afternoon we were out shopping when Paul phoned me with news that John Peel is dead. I'm gutted. Peelie was a massive hero of mine. An inspiration on many levels. The world is a poorer place with him gone. I'm going to miss the fact of John Peel. See ya Peelie.

Another Day In The New House

Settling in more. Milk on the doorstep. Sorting out more stuff. Fixed a bookcase in place and the books can now come out of their boxes. Hospital appointment this afternoon revealed that the kidney stones are STILL in me. More x-rays ordered. Possible surgical procedures discussed. Cripes. Theresa and Lucy turned up for a look around the house. After their visit we wizzed up to Ikea to check out some bathroom cabinets. When we got home a card was waiting from neighbours at 190. Nice gesture, must call to thank. Kids in bed late. Keeping each other awake singing songs together that they've learnt for school assembly. So cute!

And We're In!

We've done it! We moved house. Friday came and went in a blur of boxes, furniture and sweat. We thought we were prepared but as the removal guys started speedily emptying our house of its contents we found more and more items without a box to call home. But by the end of the morning everything was out. Even the sofas which had to be carried at head height around the back of the house as our new front door would not allow them to pass. The legal stuff happening without a hitch was a surprise considering the bumpy road of the house chain dragging on for months and months. No sooner had we dropped off the old keys than I got a call to pick up the new keys just as we walked past the estate agents office. Into the new house and everything was fine. Bigger than I remembered it and in great condition. Very relived that the sofas fitted into the rooms and dissapointed that our bed and wardrobe would not fit up the stairs! Oh well, the guys kept filling the house and I couldn't help myself but join in. Dave, Will and Josh certainly earnt their money that day. I couldn't do that work five days a week. Once they had gone we locked up the house and called on the old neighbours to say goodbye. Steve did me a copy of Hero on DVD which I watched Saturday night. An awesome sight.
Saturday spent focussed on the kitchen. Although clean, we scrubbed it again from top to bottom. Our stuff fitted in great. Spent a fortune on food at the supermarket. Paul and Lyn came by. Can't keep that pair away :) House warming gift of a case of wine was gratefully received.
Sunday Mom & Dad came over. Quickly turned into a working visit as me and Dad got to work on the leak in GCH header tank (fixed), checked out the loft (and bunged up some stuff), and got the bed bases upstairs. Quite some work invloved in taking apart just enough of the bed base to get it up. Re-assembled upstairs with skill and a stapler. Multiple attempts to get the wardrobe upstairs were met with a steady dismantling of the construction. Eventually it was taken upstairs as a flat-pack kit. Hurrah! A good days work done with Dads invaluable assistance.
Tired tonight. Another glass of wine sooths away the strains and tomorrow brings another adventure.

The Day Before The Move

In the office today. Tried injecting some positive energy into the Grain project by talking through some mapping strategies with Adrian. Why no-one else is doing this for the team is beyond me. Handed over to Geoff for site next week. New laptop on my desk but didn't get to explore it much.

Straight up to school for parents evening. Both kids doing great. Back home to experience more moving prep stress. There just seems so much to do still. Paul and Lyn came over to collect the old fridge. That's one thing out of the way. I relaxed a bit knowing that was out of the way.

So tomorrow we're outta here. It's going to be a bit weird, but good weird. Don't know when we'll have broadband setup in the new place so offline for a while now. See ya!

Working At Home

Working at home today. Got quite a bit done considering Dylan was off school for a hearing test and Harriet was off due to feeling ill with a cold. Jacq busy with more of the final packing preparations. It's getting close now.

Have learnt today that the next two days will mostly be spent on site commissioning. That's just exactly NOT what I wanted. Little chance of sloping off early Thursday afternoon if in the middle of commissioning plant.

Git Up

Amazing to report that today was really a rather pleasant day in the office. The vibe was good amongst the team present. Got a fair bit of work done. The travelling was fine both ways. Can't complain about a working day like today. Soundtracked by the new D12 single 'Git Up' which has a stunning rhythm track more like Autechre or Aphex than your standard rap track.

History Of Atheism

Enjoyed a spot of quality TV this evening. Jonathan Millers History Of Atheism was top notch. There's not enough voices in the media pointing out the obvious STUPIDITY of ALL religions. Good to see it on BBC4 even if it was in a kind of overly intellectual presentation. Really looking forward to the next episode which I think features Richard Dawkins.

Let's be clear about this, religion is for babies afraid of the dark. Religion should be banned. No, not banned, that's dumb. Religion should be deemed so laughably ridiculous, that no-one with any common sense would admit to believing in it.

There, that's better. Imagine religion is dead. Isn't the world a more rational, intelligent and grown-up place now?

Our Last Weekend In This House

A busy weekend just gone. Harriets 9th birthday. Saturday morning swimming was fun. Mitchell joined Dylans class and the two of them had lots of fun after running about during Harriets lesson. At home and busy with party preparations then back down to the swimming baths for the party. The kids had the pool to themselves complete with lots of floats and toys. Everyone had a great time. Parents too. Jacq set up the party stuff while we were all in the pool. The hour was soon up then it was party food, games and cake. Harriet had a great time. Another great party success for Jacq. She always does the best parties. The cousins came back to ours for the present opening. Me and Steve K had some good 'puter chat.

Harriets actual birthday was Sunday and the presents were opened first thing. She loved all her presents. The Pokemon content was high. Harriet picked pizza for lunch so we went down to Harborne. Rest of day was spent with the remaining jobs for the house move. And then it was all over, our last weekend in this house.

Two Shifts Done Dog Tired

In the last two days I've been at work for a total of 32 hours! Let it be known that I am completely knackered! Looking forward to the weekend.

Endless Loop

Enjoying the track Child Made Of Salt by Sleepy Rabbit that I downloaded from Opsound. I've had the first couple of seconds on an endless loop all morning. The phased sound helped in trying to drift through the endless loop of dull dull dull work. I don't want to detail the work stuff, it just isn't interesting anymore. I've decided to steer this blog back to more constructive pursuits.

Now Playing

Cocteau Twins - Echoes In A Shallow Bay this morning. The Cocteaus STILL give me the goosebumps even today. I was a massive fan. Always loved the way they sounded so amazing and were just normal people with none of the rockstar affectations. Although they may have inspired the 'shoegazer' movement of the early nineties, I don't see anyone holding a torch for them today. Shame. Their whole back catalogue sounds consistently wonderful. Top notch. Up there with the good 'uns.

The Sound Of Sunshine

Savath & Savalas - Apropa't soundtracked the morning drive. I could feel the warmth of the music on my face. Soothing Catalan vocals and the sound of sunshine.

The office was an up-and-down affair. Much to moan about but tried to focus on the tasks at hand. Trapper is in charge but needs a push to get things done. Adrian in his usual bad place which is always good entertainment value. Good to touch base with Phil and Dave H.

Quiet house when I got home. Dylan was over at Davids and Harriet at Aksas party. When I went to fetch Dylan, Steve gave me a flyer for his band 'The Marones' who are playing in town next month. Might be fun. Picked up Harriet and dropped Molly home. Got the kids to bed and settled down to some computer action. Exploring the Opsound open sound resource site. Found some nice tracks and a few things that I intend to borrow from.

X-rays & Illuminations

Thursday morning working at home. X-ray at City Hospital in the afternoon. Got to wait ten days before getting results from my doctor. Hopefully it's all past as I haven;t had any pain for some days now. Mike came over in the evening to entertain us both.

Friday morning working on site then into the office in the afternoon. Stayed until I could stand the sound of the Beard no longer. Just closed my laptop and picked up my bag while he was in full rant. No sure if I even switched the machine off. Just got outta there. Self preservation.

Friday evening we went to the Walsall Illuminations. Met up with Theresa, Lizzie & Steve and Mary & Steve and of course all the cousins. Harriet was SO looking forward spemding time with Beccy and Jodie (and talking about Pokemon I guess).

A good time was had by all, although Dyl was a bit tired and irritable at times. The kids all got cool spinning light toys to hold as we strolled around the arboretum. Even though it's just a bunch of lightbulbs and kind of lame, it's still good fun.

Saturday (today) started as usual with the swimming lessons. Dylan had his first session without armbands! Harriet swimming so strong and really perfecting her stroke. Lovely autumn sun in the afternoon. I cut the grass in the back garden for the last time. Tonight we're re-watching 'Shaun Of The Dead' (it's the only DVD that's not packed away into a box). It's a great movie and we're watching with the commentary switched on. The trivia subtitles are genius.

A Very Pleasant Evening

Lasted in the office till about 4PM. When I got home the kids were already bathed and being charming. Harriet had written a story called 'The Diary Of The Cutest Bunny' which she read to me. Then Dylan read me his school book which featured speedway racing. Speedway so reminds me of the seventies. I remember Dad taking us to watch it on dark autumn evenings. I can still smell the fumes.
Jacq went out later with Carol to see Annas loft conversion. Because of this I had managed to duck out of a work-related curry this evening. Not that it would have been horrible. I just didn't think it was worth the effort to drive over to Tamworth to watch other people enjoy a couple of pints.

It Was Too Good To Last

Inevitable I suppose. Office status now NOT Beard-free. Still, it was a nice morning and walk. So, it's iPod set to stun and headphones on. Now playing HIA - Freefloater, a great album of electronic bleeps and grooves. Not just straight-ahead techno, much more swing to it. HIA are the best music ever to come out of Brum. Just a shame hardly anyone has ever heard of them.

Back In The Office

Listening to EBTG on the way to work. Tracey Thorn has a wonderful voice. Good to be in the office on a day when it's Beard-free. Getting stuff done, enjoying the banter, good stuff. Looking forward to the lunchtime walk, haven't had one of those in a while.

Got Colins new CD Githead yesterday. Haven't listened to it yet. Hopefully tonight I can site down with it and the free Malka CD My Pet Fish that came with it. Two CD's for 8 quid, top bargain! Treat yourself!

The Monday Grind

Today was a grind in almost classic style. Raining pouring down during the rush-hour. Took me an hour 15 mins to do a journey that should have been 45 mins. Working on site with not much to keep me very occupied. The clock ticked s-l-o-w. Problems later in the day kept me on site until 7:30PM.

Dylan had fun with David visiting tonight.

Looks like I'm on site again tomorrow. Must try and re-energise. So tired right now.

A Sunday Of No Importance

Well most of yesterday, last night and all day today has been without pain, which is nice. Today spent indoors. Weather rotten. Chores done. Sorted house insurance stuff. Mike phoned, hopefully meet up later this week.

Up Early And At 'Em

Woke at 5.00AM again. Pains plus a headache. Soon eased once up and about. Spent a bit of time tweaking my blogger template. Created a 'Listening' box to pay homage to some great sounds. Took some time sorting out the Amazon linkage but got there in the end with my new 'associate' status ready to earn me shedloads of cash (not).

Forgot to mention that I created my own little Flickr group. Got the OK from Miles to use the Ideal Copy name linking in with the mailing list. Fergus sounds excited by the Flickr concept so I'm sure he's going to be hitting the list with links. Check it > http://www.flickr.com/groups/idealcopy/

Paul coming over first thing to blag some software. Dylan starts his Level 2 swimming lessons today at a slightly earlier time which is great cos it means I get to watch Harriet afterwards.

So Here Comes October

Worked at home today and got lots more done than I did yesterday amongst the chaos of the office move.

Flickr accounts released today. I signed up for a 2 year deal. Flickr rocks. Must drop them a line to suggest T-shirts. I'd wear one.

Still getting pain. Took me down this evening. Had to resort to the codine. Got my appointment through for x-ray next Thursday. Maybe I'll find out what's in me and how big it is.